ISLAMABAD, May 18: The Information Technology (IT) revolution has reached Pakistan, said Information Technology Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari while presiding over a dialogue session on the telecom scenario in Pakistan. The dialogue was arranged by a local newspaper here on Wednesday during which strong voices were raised in favour of sharing of infrastructure and equipment among the operating cellular companies to benefit the consumers.

Minister Awais Leghari also reiterated the government’s desire to take the fruits of this revolution to the rural areas.

The telecom sector being an important part of the IT revolution needed greater investment in research and development of manpower, as well as the introduction of better broadband technology, he said.

The minister attributed the phenomenal growth in the number of cellphones, which had increased to about 5 million in Pakistan within a short period, to an efficient regulatory policy which had been appreciated by the operators.

The representative of a foreign operating company, Tore Johnson, said Pakistan was an investment-friendly country with a forward looking telecom policy and yet the range of competition was limited and did not seem to increase more tele- density. What was impeding expansion was the high cost of operations, Mr Tore said.

He also called for sharing of infrastructure and equipment among the existing operating agencies to lower the cost for the operators and the users of mobile phones.

Managing director of PTV Arshad Khan presented an overview of Pakistan’s development in cellular phone system. It happened because a level-playing field was provided to the operators and the investors, he said .

During the question-answer session, Mr Leghari said the operating companies abroad frequently invested in creating awareness among the public of the correct method of using mobile phones, and expected the operators in Pakistan would probably do the same gradually.

He also agreed with a participant, who suggested that the operators should establish a company for putting up communication towers and purchase of equipment.